Operation Compass
On the 10th of June 1940, Italy declared war on Britain and France. This declaration triggered months of border skirmishes between Italian forces in Libya and British troops stationed in Egypt. The Mediterranean Fleet bombarded the port of Tobruk on the 12th of June 1940. During these early clashes, Italo Balbo, the Governor-General of Libya, was killed by friendly fire on the 19th of June. Marshal Rodolfo Graziani took command after Balbo's death. He expressed doubts about his large non-mechanized force defeating the motorized British. By September 1940, the Italian 10th Army advanced into Egypt with 80,000 troops. They established fortified camps around Sidi Barrani from Maktila to Tummar East. Five camps were built along the coast road extending eastward. The Italians dug in and awaited reinforcements while the small British force withdrew to Mersa Matruh.
Operation Compass began on the night of the 8th of December 1940. At 5:30 AM on the 9th of December, artillery commenced diversionary fire on Nibeiwa camp. The Maletti Group held this position until 7:30 AM when the divisional artillery began a preliminary bombardment. By 11:00 AM, Nibeiwa had been captured. General Pietro Maletti died in the fighting alongside thousands of wounded soldiers. Over 20,000 prisoners were taken at Nibeiwa alone. The attack on Tummar West started at 1:00 PM that same day. Tanks broke through the perimeter twenty minutes after infantry followed. By nightfall, most of Tummar East was captured. Selby Force moved up from Matruh with only enough transport for one brigade. Cruiser tanks arrived during a sandstorm to overrun Italians trapped in dunes north of the coast road. Mass surrenders began everywhere except Point 90 where troops of the 2nd Libyan Division held out briefly before surrendering.
By the 15th of December, Sollum and Halfaya Pass had been captured by British forces. Fort Capuzzo fell to the 7th Armoured Division in late December as they advanced westward toward Bardia. The WDF paused to reorganize after taking over 8,000 prisoners. Italian casualties reached 4,000 killed or wounded while British losses remained under 1,000 men. On the 3rd of January 1941, the 6th Australian Division attacked Bardia's defenses from dawn until dusk. Sappers blew gaps in barbed wire using Bangalore torpedoes. Anti-tank ditches were filled and broken down with picks and shovels. Twenty-three Matilda II tanks supported the assault. The 16th Australian Infantry Brigade breached the perimeter while the 17th Brigade exploited the gap southward. By day three, the fortress was split in two. Thousands surrendered including General Annibale Bergonzoli's entire XXIII Corps garrison. Over 42,000 prisoners were taken along with hundreds of guns and medium tanks.
On the 6th of January 1941, XIII Corps surrounded Tobruk defended by XXII Corps under Enrico Mannella. Blockades lasted a fortnight before naval bombardment began on the night of 20/the 21st of January. Captain Hector Waller led ships that bombarded the town between 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM. At 8:00 AM, the 2/3rd Australian Battalion created a breach in Italian defenses. By evening, half of Tobruk had been captured. Naval command surrendered on the 22nd of January after Mannella was captured earlier that day. Further east, the Babini Group held Mechili with M.13/40 tanks needing ten days to become battle-ready yet rushed forward anyway. On the 24th of January, ten to fifteen new tanks attacked the 7th Hussars north of Mechili. The British lost several tanks but knocked out seven M.13s. Derna airfield saw slow progress against determined resistance from Sabratha Division and Bersaglieri companies. Italian bombers and fighters attacked arriving Australian forces while field artillery stopped advances short of objectives. The 2/4th Australian Battalion cut the Derna-Mechili road during the night of 25/the 26th of January.
In late January, British intelligence learned Italians were retreating along the coastal road from Benghazi. The 7th Armoured Division moved through desert terrain south of Jebel Akhdar via Msus and Antelat. Combe Force led wheeled vehicles across the chord of the jebel ahead of main columns. Late on the 5th of February, Combe Force arrived at Sidi Saleh about 10 miles north of Ajedabia. Leading elements of the 10th Army reached this point thirty minutes later. Next day, Italians attacked to break through the roadblock continuing attacks into the 7th of February. With British reinforcements arriving and Australians pressing down from Benghazi, remnants of the 10th Army surrendered. From Benghazi to Agedabia, British forces captured 25,000 prisoners including 107 tanks and 93 guns. Casualties for the WDF remained under 1,000 men killed or wounded throughout the entire operation.
The success of the 7th Armoured Division encouraged belief that maneuver could win battles despite lack of integration between tanks and infantry. Engagement with Babini Group on the 24th of January led to conclusions that armored divisions needed more artillery support. Lack of cover in desert encouraged dispersion which reduced firepower at decisive points. Conservation during lulls due to supply shortages encouraged use of jock columns formed of motorized infantry companies field-gun batteries and armored cars. These columns succeeded against Italians but expectations were confounded when German aircraft and better-equipped troops arrived in Libya. The Defence Committee ordered Cyrenaica held with minimum forces while surplus units went to Greece. In March 1941, the 6th Australian Division departed for Greece leaving behind under-strength light tank regiments and second regiments using captured Italian tanks. German reinforcements formed a blocking detachment under Directive 22 starting the 11th of January. Erwin Rommel's first units arrived as Graziani was replaced by Gariboldi on the 25th of March 1941. Total casualties for WDF reached 1,800 killed or wounded while Italian losses exceeded 130,000 prisoners taken across all engagements.
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Common questions
When did Operation Compass begin and end?
Operation Compass began on the night of the 8th of December 1940 and concluded in late January 1941 with the surrender of Italian forces. The final phase involved British forces capturing prisoners from Benghazi to Agedabia by early February.
Who commanded Italian forces during Operation Compass?
Marshal Rodolfo Graziani took command after Governor-General Italo Balbo was killed by friendly fire on the 19th of June 1940. Enrico Mannella led XXII Corps at Tobruk while General Annibale Bergonzoli commanded the XXIII Corps garrison at Bardia.
How many prisoners were taken during Operation Compass?
Over 25,000 prisoners were captured between Benghazi and Agedabia alone. Total Italian losses across all engagements exceeded 130,000 prisoners taken throughout the entire campaign.
What dates marked key battles in Operation Compass?
Nibeiwa camp fell on the 9th of December 1940 while Sollum and Halfaya Pass were captured by the 15th of December 1940. Fort Capuzzo fell in late December and Tobruk surrendered on the 22nd of January 1941.
Why did Operation Compass succeed against Italian forces?
British success resulted from effective maneuver warfare using the 7th Armoured Division to outflank fortified positions. Conservation tactics during supply lulls allowed jock columns to defeat Italians despite initial lack of integration between tanks and infantry.